BILL NUMBER: AJR 18	CHAPTERED  09/03/99

	RESOLUTION CHAPTER   102
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   SEPTEMBER 3, 1999
	ADOPTED IN SENATE   AUGUST 30, 1999
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY   JUNE 24, 1999
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   JUNE 24, 1999
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   JUNE 21, 1999
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   JUNE 9, 1999

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Reyes
   (Coauthors:  Assembly Members Bock, Calderon, Corbett, Firebaugh,
Florez, Gallegos, Havice, Keeley, Knox, Kuehl, Romero, Shelley,
Strom-Martin, Vincent, Wayne, Wildman, Alquist, Aroner, Cardenas,
Cardoza, Cedillo, Correa, Cox, Cunneen, Davis, Dickerson, Dutra,
Granlund, Hertzberg, Honda, Jackson, Lempert, Lowenthal, Machado,
Maddox, Mazzoni, Migden, Nakano, Olberg, Oller, Robert Pacheco,
Papan, Pescetti, Runner, Scott, Soto, Steinberg, Strickland, Thomson,
Torlakson, Villaraigosa, Washington, Wesson, Wiggins, and Zettel)
   (Coauthors:  Senators Costa, Solis, and Vasconcellos)

                        MAY 3, 1999

   Assembly Joint Resolution No. 18--Relative to Medicare.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AJR 18, Reyes.  Medicare coverage of prescription drugs.
   Under existing law, the federal government provides health
benefits to eligible individuals under the Medicare program.
Generally, Medicare benefits do not include the cost of prescription
drugs.
   This measure would memorialize the President and Congress of the
United States to enact legislation expanding Medicare benefits to
include the cost of prescription drugs.




   WHEREAS, Prescription drugs are an important component of modern
medical treatment; and
   WHEREAS, Many elderly patients cannot afford necessary
prescription drugs because of their limited and fixed incomes; and
   WHEREAS, The Medicare program, provided for pursuant to Title
XVIII of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1395 et
seq.), generally does not provide coverage for the cost of
prescription drugs; and
   WHEREAS, Many medical insurance plans, including senior health
maintenance organization plans, medical insurance plans for public
and private employees, and medicaid, provide coverage for the cost of
prescription drugs; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of
California, jointly, That the Legislature of the State of California
respectfully memorializes the President and Congress of the United
States to enact legislation expanding Medicare benefits to include
the cost of prescription drugs; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United
States, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and to each
Senator and Representative in the California delegation in the
Congress of the United States.
